Song of the Winter Solstice (Gauntlet Series 1)

Special Chapter as Told by Kenru Part 1

I can see the pain overwhelming her as she falls down on the smudged icy ground. At first, I feel shocked. She's crying while I'm holding the dagger that's pinned through her gut; its blade reached the center of her chest.

I see the snow continuously pouring from the sorrowful sky as copious amount of blood begin to color the icy bed where she lays.

"Is it done?" a powerful voice asks.

"Yes, Your Grace. The winter heiress is dead," I respond. Nagsimulang mamahay ang 'di maipaliwanag na kirot sa aking dibdib.

"Take her to the second region and wait for the birth of the spring heiress," His Grace commands. His eyes are as watery as mine. He sulks in the pain and turns his back.

"Shall I call Graen Augu, Your Grace?" I ask. Napaluhod ako sa tabi ng babae. Nanginginig ang bawat kalamnan ko. Nagsimulang manikip ang aking dibdib. Hinawakan ko ang nanlalamig nitong pulso.

"Mas mabuti kung wala munang makakaalam sa kinaroroonan ng katawan ni Idrish, Kenru. It's too dangerous if the secret council learns about the plan. "This is just between you and me, for now."

"Masusunod, mahal n—"

"Make sure her body is safe until the vernal gauntlet heiress is born. Protect her body with your life," the royal voice cuts his words.

"Y—yes, Your Grace. I will."

Then, he walks away with shoulders that hunch and a head that hangs. I know he is in deep pain, too.

Muli akong bumaling sa nakahandusay na si Idrish. Tuluyan nang nanghina ang buo niyang katawan. Kusang bumigay ang talukap ng mga mata nito. Maingat kong hinila ang nanlalamig nitong katawan. Hindi ko napigilang kumawala ang mga hikbing kanina pa nagbabadya sa aking mga bibig.

Niyakap ko ito. Mahigpit. Sinamyo ko sa huling pagkakataon ang amoy nitong hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan noong una kaming nagtagpo. I will remember this scent. Forever.

Tumingala ako sa langit. Hiniling kong kahit man lang sa huling pagkakataon ay yakapin ako nito pabalik. Hiniling ko sa mga tala na sana'y magawa niyang bigkasin ang pangalan ko bago ko siya ihatid sa naghihintay niyang himlayan.

Sana.

Isang salitang hanggang sa diwa ko na lamang maglalaro. Isang salitang pilit kong iniwasang bigkasin pero sa huli'y nagaganap pa rin.

Sana.

Sana nagawa kong sabihin ang lahat ng nilalaman ng aking dibdib kahit na sigurado akong iba ang laman ng sa kaniya.

"Idrish," I sob, totally giving in to the pain in my chest. "I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I'm sorry that you have to feel betrayed by the people you trust; and what pains me is that, I am that person. You consumed your last breath thinking that I betrayed you."

Kusang uminit ang gilid ng aking mga mata at mabilis na dumaloy ang mga iyon habang yakap ng babae.

"I promised to protect you as your guardian, but I broke that promise and made a new one—that is to protect you not because of the oath I made as a guardian of an heiress but to protect you because my heart calls out for you."

Isiniksik ko ang aking mukha sa balikat ng babae. Kumawala ang isang malakas na hagulgol habang yakap ko ang bangkay nito. "Paano ko sasabihin ang lahat ng ito, kung sa muli mong pagbabalik ay baka hindi mo na ako makilala? Papaano?"

"Promise you'd come back, Idrish. Promise me. I'd be happy to see you live even if I'm no longer part of it." Muling akong suminghap para pigilan ang pilit kumakawalang hagulgol sa aking dibdib.

Pero nabigo ako. Mas makapangyarihan ang kirot sa aking dibdib dahilan para pakawalan ko ang isa pang malakas na hagulgol. Humigpit ang yakap ko habang paulit-ulit na sinasambit ang pangalan niya.

I sigh repeatedly before deciding to take her to a safer place.

Pinadaloy ko ang aking kapangyarihan sa aking mga ugat hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang malamig na enerhiyang dumadaloy sa buo kong katawan. Binuhat ko ito. Binalot kami ng malamig na hangin. Ramdam ko ang paglutang naming pareho sa ere.

I'm taking her to a safe haven.

The cold wind kisses my skin as we ascend to the sky. I'll travel above the clouds. No one in Springgan will be able to see me. I hold her tight. The wind is constantly cold even above the clouds. My brain becomes a bit clearer. I can see, feel, hear, taste and smell everything that is around me, but my heart still aches.

The sad rhythm of my soul plays along with the Song of the Winter Solstice as we travel to the second region.

Come, oh cold death let me be swayed.

As the white lonely snow dissolves the heat.

My life shall fly away as it takes my breath.

My life, my honor, and dignity be slain.

Let my royal armour be torn and stained.

My life's a feat though I've tasted defeat.

I have fought so true as my heart beats.

Go away memory, go away, go away!

Leave with my soul as my body falls in the hay.

Let there be strewn on my lonely grave.

Honor me as a friend, a warrior so brave.

Tis, my last words shall be brought forth.

As the deadly solstice forest embrace my fate.

I'll remember you. I'll remember you with grace.

"Please be back. This is not how your fate ends. Be back and avenge your painful fate. Be back..." I whisper before I can feel the pulling of the ground.

It is a smooth free fall. The wind energy covering both of us makes it possible. I fly past the blue mountain; on its peak is a red crown of the Mir tree. Then, I finally see the dome surrounded by green canopies.

Muli na namang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Ilang pulgada na lang ay tuluyan nang mawawalay ang babae sa lumang mundong nagtaksil at nanakit sa kanya. Makakalimutan na niya ang ang mga alaala ni Borracho, Bonbon, Rouma... ako.

Magsisimula ang bago niyang buhay. Magiging ganap na siyang tagapangalaga ng winter gauntlet.

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